Former U of M receiver Stonum gets probation for domestic assault

A former wide receiver for the University of Michigan’s football team has been sentenced to three years of probation.

Oakland Circuit Judge James Alexander sentenced Darryl Stonum, 24, to time served in jail and probation. Stonum, who was taken into custody after his June 25 conviction, received credit for 23 days served in Oakland County Jail.

“You had it all,” Alexander said before revealing the sentence.

“During your trial, I was channel flipping. Every time I came back to the Big Ten Network, you were running back a touchdown. ”

“I pulled your bond when you got convicted because I wanted you to have a taste of what your future looks like wearing (a jail) uniform instead of the maize and blue or any other uniform,” Alexander said.

“For a football player to be beating up a woman is ridiculous. And for the rest of your life, you’re a convicted felon.”

Stonum was convicted by a jury last month of one count of felonious assault and two counts of domestic violence. He was acquitted of a second count of felonious assault.

The charges stemmed from two separate incidents at the couple’s Southfield apartment. Both times, Stonum threw the victim to the ground, holding weapons and yelling, prosecutors said.

“Throughout this whole entire case I’ve seen the emotional distress, heartache, burden and just the toll … it’s taken on my family and loved ones,” Stonum said.

“I’ve seen the toll it’s taken on her and her family as well, and I’d just like to truly, honestly apologize from the bottom of my heart. I’m sorry. I loved her and I love my family.”

Stonum said he takes full responsibility for his actions and has learned a lot since the initial arrest was made last year. He has a bachelor’s degree in communications and hopes to be a sportscaster and earn his master’s degree. He also asked for his probation to be transferred to Texas, where his family resides.

“I would love to go back home and take everything that I’ve learned and become a better man, a better person and a better father to my little girl, and to start my life over fresh with my family,” he said.

Alexander said he would consider transferring the probation after Stonum completes other portions of his sentence, including serving 500 hours of community service and paying $1,458 in restitution.

The victim also addressed the court. She said the incidents still weigh on her.

“I think about how I couldn’t eat,” she said.

“I couldn’t sleep. I lost weight. I lost hair. I just think about all the moments that I cried in my mom’s arms because of how emotionally and psychologically worn down I was after these harmful acts I was subjected to, but life certainly went on. I like to believe that I handled the entirety of the situation with as much resilience as possible.”

The Oakland Press generally does not report the names of domestic violence victims.

“I didn’t have to be barely breathing and suffering from mass bruising and all these things for my injuries to be considered real,” she said.

“Most of the time, they were just bruises to several parts of my body, but bruises do hurt, especially when they’re all over your body.”

The victim said she suffered a chest strain that affected her ability, as a nurse, to work with patients.

“Physical injuries heal,” she said.

“Emotional injuries, I believe, are a bit different because these are things I’m still dealing with today.”